An advanced on-site water sanitization system is taught having integrated chlorine generation and copper/silver ionization in the same unit. The system includes a manifold loop connectable to a water supply line for supplying water to be sanitized from a body of water, and connectable to a water return line for returning sanitized water to the body of water. It also includes a copper/silver ionizer, capable of receiving a flow of water to be sanitized, adding copper and silver ions to the flow of water so as to provide a copper/silver ionized flow of water. A chlorinator is also included, capable of receiving a flow of ionized water, and a flow of chlorine, and allowing the flow of chlorine to mix with the flow of ionized water so as to provide a chlorinated flow of ionized water to the manifold loop to return as sanitized water to the body of water.
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1. A water sanitization system, comprising:
a manifold loop configured to be connected to a water supply line to supply a flow of water to be sanitized from a body of water, and configured to be connected to a water return line to return a flow of sanitized water to the body of water;
a copper/silver ionization cell, in fluid communication with the manifold loop, the copper/silver ionization cell configured to:
receive, via the manifold loop, the flow of water to be sanitized, and
add copper ions and silver ions to the flow of water to be sanitized to provide a flow of ionized water to the manifold loop;
a chlorine generator, including a chlorine generation cell, configured to produce a flow of chlorine;
a chlorinator, in fluid communication with the manifold loop, the chlorinator configured to:
mix the flow of ionized water with the flow of chlorine to produce a flow of sanitized water having copper ions, silver ions, and chlorine, and
supply the flow of sanitized water to the body of water via the manifold loop and the water return line; and
a power supply electrically connected to the chlorine generation cell and to the copper/silver ionization cell, the power supply configured to selectively control a ratio of copper ions and silver ions to chlorine to be supplied to the flow of water to be sanitized.
13. A water sanitization system, comprising:
a manifold loop configured to be connected to a water supply line to supply a flow of water to be sanitized from a body of water, and configured to be connected to a water return line to return a flow of sanitized water to the body of water;
a plurality of copper/silver ionization cells, in parallel fluid communication with the manifold loop, each copper/silver ionization cell, of the plurality of copper/silver ionization cells being configured to:
receive, via the manifold loop, the flow of water to be sanitized, and
add copper ions and silver ions to the flow of water to be sanitized, to provide a flow of ionized water to the manifold loop;
one or more chlorine generators, each of the one or more chlorine generators including a chlorine generation cell, and each of the one or more chlorine generators configured to produce a flow of chlorine;
a plurality of chlorinators, in parallel fluid communication with the manifold loop, each chlorinator, of the plurality of chlorinators, being configured to:
mix the flow of ionized water with the flow of chlorine from one of one or more chlorine generators to produce a flow of sanitized water having copper ions, silver ions, and chlorine, and
supply the flow of sanitized water to the body of water via the manifold loop and the water return line;
a power supply electrically connected to the chlorine generation cell of the one or more chlorine generators, and to each copper/silver ionization cell of the plurality of copper/silver ionization cells, the power supply configured to selectively control a ratio of copper and silver ions to chlorine supplied to the flow of water to be sanitized.
2. The water sanitization system of
3. The water sanitization system of
a flow sensing device coupled to the venturi device to sense a flow of water through the venturi device.
4. The water sanitization system of
a conductivity sensing device coupled to the venturi device to sense a conductivity of water flowing through the copper/silver ionization cell.
5. The water sanitization system of
6. The water sanitization system of
a brine tank configured to contain a brine solution having at least one chloride compound dissolved therein, wherein the chlorine generation cell is configured to be submerged in the brine solution, and to generate chlorine from the at least one chloride compound.
7. The water sanitization system of
8. The water sanitization system of
9. The water sanitization system of
a first timer coupled to the power supply of the chlorine generator, the first timer configured to control a timing of electrical power to the chlorine generator; and
a second timer coupled to the power supply connected to the copper/silver ionization cell, the second timer to control a timing of electrical power to the copper/silver ionization cell.
10. The water sanitization system of
a water flow restrictor in fluid communication with both the water supply line and the water return line, the water flow restrictor configured to redirect the flow of the water to be sanitized from the water supply line to the manifold loop.
11. The water sanitization system of
12. The water sanitization system of
two identical electrodes formed of an alloy of copper and silver.
14. The water sanitization system of
15. The water sanitization system of
16. The water sanitization system of
17. The water sanitization system of
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This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/694,039, filed Jan. 26, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention generally relates to sanitizing water, and more particularly relates to on-site systems for sanitizing a body of water, such as a swimming pool, or a drinking water supply.
Swimming pools and drinking water supplies, as well as other bodies of water, must be sanitized in order to be safe for human use. As used herein, “sanitize”, and similar terminology refers to disinfecting the object by killing microorganisms.
It is instructive to review commonly available techniques that are presently used to sanitize swimming pools, drinking water supplies and other bodies of water.
In the case of swimming pools, a lack of proper sanitization can result in damaged pool equipment, damaged pool surfaces, and can allow water therein to become a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae, mold and fungi. In the case of drinking water supplies, lack of proper sanitization can result in damaged pumping equipment, damaged water holding tanks, and can allow water therein to become a breeding ground for the afore mentioned disease-causing bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae, mold and fungi. Although known methods of sanitizing swimming pools, drinking water supplies and other bodies of water have proved suitable for their intended purposes, there are nonetheless challenges inherent in the use of such methods.
In this regard, chlorine is a well-known and frequently used chemical for sanitizing both swimming pool water and drinking water. Since chlorine is an effective and relatively inexpensive sanitizing agent, and because testing for residual chlorine is inexpensive and relatively easy, chlorine is often the agent of choice for sanitizing swimming pools, as well as drinking water. Maintaining chlorine concentration of 1-3 ppm is considered adequate by many local boards of health.
In addition, use of copper/silver ions in water disinfecting techniques is also known. For example, the early Greeks used copper and silver goblets and vessels for drinking water therefrom, and for storing water. The low solubility of these copper/silver ions in the water served as a natural, controlled release mechanism that added trace amounts of these copper/silver ions into the water. The concentration amounts were high enough to purify the water without causing objectionable taste. More recent use of copper and silver ions to inactivate microorganisms in water is well-documented. In addition to being a bacteriacide, the copper and silver ions, in concentrations of parts per billion (ppb), are also effective in controlling viruses, parasites, algae, mold, and fungi.
Also, copper and silver ion disinfection of swimming pool water and drinking water has several benefits over chlorine. In this regard, copper and silver ions are chemically stable, and do not undergo the destructive reactions of aqueous chlorine, which destructive reactions can cause corrosion of metal pipes (e.g., lead and copper pipes), water pumps, pool surfaces, and other components. The corrosion, which can result from presence of chloramines, is caused by changes in chemical properties of the water. The terminology “chloramine” refers to derivatives of ammonia, and can include monochloramine (NH2CL) or a family of organic compounds. The family of organic compounds can have the formulae R2NCL and RNCL2, where R is an organic group. Other chloramines include dichloramine (NHCL2) and nitrogen trichloride (NCL3). In addition to chloramines, objectionable by-products can also include trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acid (HAA). Copper and silver ions, on the other hand, do not form objectionable by-products such as chloramines, trihalomethanes (THM), and haloacetic acid (HAA).
In addition to increasing likelihood of corrosion, chloramines are also objectionable because uncontrolled amounts of chloramines can cause water quality problems, such as nitrification. Nitrification, which can result from the bacterial oxidation of ammonia, can cause loss of disinfectant residual in the water. The loss of disinfectant residual is due to conversion of ammonia into nitrite and then to nitrate. In the case of swimming pools, production of ammonia can result from sweat and urine excreted by swimmers. The sweat and urine are broken-down by chemicals in the water, such that ammonia is separated-out. Ammonia can also enter the water from decaying plant material, such as decaying leaves in the water, or from fertilizer present on nearby plants, such as fertilized grass and shrubbery located near the pool water. Presence of ammonia, in combination with chlorine in swimming pool water, can cause skin and eye irritation.
Therefore, a consideration in the art of water sanitation is the presence of chlorine in an amount that can lead to corrosion of lead and copper components (e.g., piping and pumping components) by changing chemical properties of the water. Another consideration in the art of water sanitation is the presence of chlorine in an amount that, when combined with ammonia excreted by swimmers, can lead to skin and eye irritation. Yet another consideration in the art of water sanitation is increased loss of disinfectant residual due to nitrification.
In the case of the previously mentioned trihalomethanes, the most relevant by-product is chloroform, which can escape from swimming pool water and be inhaled by swimmers. Even low concentrations of chloroform have been linked to renal and liver defects. Therefore, another consideration in the art of water sanitation is generation of trihalomethanes that can, in turn, produce chloroform.
Swimming pool owners generally take care of the chemistry of pool water in any one of several ways. For example, a swimming pool owner may hire a pool service company to apply the chemicals necessary to keep the water pH balanced and the water sanitized. In this regard, the pool service company may use various techniques for controlling the chemistry of the pool water. Those techniques may include use of the following commonly available apparatus for adjusting the amount of chlorine applied to the pool water: (1) an adjustable pump that takes liquid chlorine from a storage vat and injects it into the pool's return line; (2) a chlorine tablet holder that is installed in the water return line and that allows chlorine tablets to be dissolved at an adjustable rate; and (3) a dispenser that automatically dumps chlorine powder into a container that has pool water circulating through the container. However, another consideration in the art of water sanitation is that the initial cost and on-going maintenance costs of such commonly available apparatus may be cost-prohibitive for many pool owners.
A bromine dispenser is yet another known apparatus used for sanitizing swimming pool water and other bodies of water. In the case of swimming pools, the bromine dispenser dispenses bromine (Br) into the pool water to be sanitized. However, bromine, which is available in tablet form and can be added to pool water by a dispenser that dissolves the tablets, is more expensive than chlorine products. Also, in the case of outdoor pools, sunlight can convert active bromine into inactive bromates. In addition, bromine should not be added to swimming pool water containing chlorine because chlorine converts used-up bromine to free bromine. During this chemical conversion process, the chlorine is then converted to used-up chlorine. Therefore, another consideration in the art of pool water sanitation is that use of bromine in the presence of chlorine does not significantly enhance the process of sanitizing pool water.
Yet another method for dispensing chemicals into pool water to be sanitized is to have a pool service company bring compressed chlorine gas to the site, and inject it into the water being treated. However, this method is outlawed in many areas because of extreme hazards associated with using this method. Such hazards include possibility of pool accidents causing human exposure to the chlorine gas in a manner resulting in possible bronchial edema, asphyxiation, and pulmonary injury.
Use of ultraviolet light is yet another method for sanitizing swimming pool water. Use of ultraviolet light is preferred by some pool owners because ultraviolet light is not chemically active and does not use chemical additives. Therefore, use of ultraviolet light is more environmentally friendly compared to use of chemicals. Also, use of ultraviolet light does not require water testing, which can be inaccurate. The ultraviolet light sanitation process uses a clear glass cell containing an ultraviolet light source to sanitize the pool water. According to this method, a mercury vapor glass lamp generates shortwave ultraviolet light radiation that kills bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae, mold, and fungi. However, in order for the ultraviolet light to properly kill the bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae, mold, and fungi, the water should not be turbid or cloudy. Turbidity, which is due to suspended solids in the water, or cloudiness of the water, prevents the ultraviolet light from adequately penetrating the water in order to kill the bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae, mold, and fungi. For this reason, use of ultraviolet light can be expensive, because the water must be pre-filtered by suitable, extremely efficient filtering apparatus to remove particulate matter (i.e., suspended solids) that would otherwise cause turbidity and cloudiness. Purchase of such suitable, extremely efficient filtering apparatus increases the cost of the ultraviolet light installation. Also, use of ultraviolet light offers no residual sanitizing effect, because the sanitizing effect of the ultraviolet light will not stay in the water once the water passes by the ultraviolet light, and once the light source ceases emission of the ultraviolet light. Chlorine, on the other hand, remains in the water after treatment. Thus, a limitation or consideration associated with use of ultraviolet light is that ultraviolet light is best used in combination with chemical agents, such as chlorine, in order to suitably sanitize the water. Purchase of apparatus that uses both ultraviolet light and chlorine can increase the cost of the sanitization system.
Ozonator cells are yet another method for sanitizing swimming pool water and other bodies of water. This type of cell uses high voltage electricity to create ozone from the air. The ozone, which can be an effective bactericide, is injected into the pool water by means of a water return line connected to the pool. The ozone can be produced by a corona discharge technique that includes passing air through an electrically charged chamber that converts oxygen to ozone. However, ozone is not highly soluble in water, and therefore should be injected into the water by a compressor. Use of a compressor increases cost of using ozone. Also, when using ozone to sanitize pool water, some of the ozone may be released into the air. Such air-borne ozone may create a respiratory health hazard to pool maintenance personnel and swimmers because ozone can adversely affect the lungs. In addition, ozone leaves the water rapidly, leaves no residual, and is difficult to test, so ozone is not considered a suitable method by boards of health unless the ozone is paired with chlorine or other sanitizing agent that leaves a residual. Therefore, a consideration associated with using ozone is the initial cost of a compressor and the possible deleterious health effects.
Another method associated with swimming pool sanitization is use of inline chlorine generators. Inline chlorine generators have become accepted by pool owners in recent years. In this case, salt is added to the pool water and then an inline chlorine-generating device produces chlorine from the salt in the pool water. For the most part, known methods of on-site chlorine generation have not been adequate either for treating large commercial swimming pools, or for treating other large bodies of water. Therefore, a consideration associated with use of on-site chlorine generation alone is the difficulty of treating large commercial swimming pools or other large bodies of water.
Use of commercial chlorine products in the form of powders and tablets for treating pool water and other bodies of water is also known. These forms of chlorine usually contain cyanuric acid, which is commonly called “pool stabilizer.” Stabilizer slows down the reaction of chlorine to make the chlorine last longer in the swimming pool or other body of water. Too little stabilizer will not properly stabilize the pool water and too much stabilizer can inhibit the chlorine's ability to kill bacteria fast enough for the pool water to be safe for swimmers. Therefore, many local boards of health state that stabilizer concentration over 75 ppm (i.e., 75 parts per million) is unsafe because such a concentration will slow the ability of chlorine to kill bacteria. However, after the chlorine delivered by these products has dissipated from the pool water, the stabilizer remains. This result prevents commercial pool owners from using pill, powder, and tablet forms of chlorine as the sole method for sanitation when the pool is being used for an extended period of time due to the undesirable build-up of stabilizer during such extended periods of time. Therefore, another consideration in the art is the presence of built-up stabilizer in a concentration that slows down the reaction of chlorine to a level that presents a health hazard to swimmers.
Another issue associated with using commercial chlorine in the form of pills, powders, and tablets, and also in the form of liquid sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) or bleach, is that as much as 90% of the “chlorine” that is purchased is not chlorine, but instead includes inert ingredients that manufacturers add to their products to stabilize the chlorine, and to give it shelf life. In the case of pills, powders, and tablets, these inert ingredients can add a relatively large amount of undesirable dissolved solids into the pool water. These dissolved solids can eventually cause staining of the pool finish, discomfort for swimmers, and can shorten the life of pool filtering equipment. Therefore, another consideration in the art is presence of dissolved solids in the water due to inert ingredients added to the chlorine by manufacturers.
Another consideration relates to issues associated with transportation of chemicals used to sanitize swimming pools and other bodies of water. In this regard, chemicals used in treating pool water are manufactured off-site, usually in a rural area away from heavily populated cities and towns. Since chlorine in its pure form is a gas and is chemically unstable, additives are added to stabilize the chlorine and to give it shelf life. These additives include stabilizer, salt, calcium, soda ash, and other constituents, and are transported to the chemical manufacturing facility. After the pool chemicals are manufactured, they are placed in bottles, or other suitable containers, labeled as “hazardous products”, and then shipped to cities and towns to be stored by wholesalers in warehouses. The products are then shipped in smaller amounts to retail stores where they are purchased by service companies and end users. The chemicals are then transported to the pool site where they are stored until they are used. However, a vehicular accident while transporting concentrated pool chemicals, or improper storage of these chemicals, can result in the chemicals getting mixed with other chemicals. Mixed chemicals can cause fires, explosions, and the emission of dangerous and deadly gases that can endanger children as well as adults. Therefore, another consideration in the art is risk of injury due to transportation of such chemicals from chemical manufacturing facilities to warehouses, retail stores and end users.
Thus, in treating larger bodies of water, such as commercial swimming pools, it is difficult to achieve proper sanitation on-site using any of the above methods alone.
The present invention disclosed herein sanitizes swimming pools and drinking water supplies, as well as other larger bodies of water, in a cost-effective, efficient, safe, and convenient manner.
The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art approaches mentioned hereinabove by providing an advanced on-site integrated chlorine generation and copper/silver ionization system for sanitizing a body of water, and a method of manufacturing the advanced on-site system. More specifically, the advanced on-site water sanitization system with integrated chlorine generation and copper/silver ionization in a single unit addresses the limitations mentioned hereinabove relating to current methods of sanitation for residential swimming pools, commercial swimming pools, drinking water supplies, and other bodies of water.
The terminology “on-site” is defined herein to mean a location at or near the location of a body of water to be sanitized.
In this regard, the present invention sanitizes swimming pools, drinking water supplies, as well as other bodies of water, by killing disease-causing bacteria, viruses, parasites, algae, mold, and fungi in a cost-effective, efficient, safe, and convenient manner.
The invention also reduces likelihood of damaged swimming pool equipment, damaged swimming pool surfaces, and damaged drinking water pumping station equipment, in addition to reducing likelihood of damaging other apparatus associated with the sanitation process.
A desirable outcome resulting from use of the invention is efficient control of concentration of chlorine in the water, and reduced chlorine use. Thus, use of the invention reduces aggregate consumption of chlorine that is transported to wholesalers, retail stores, and end users. Reduction of aggregate consumption of chlorine reduces likelihood and frequency of traffic accidents that would otherwise cause injury to those traveling on roads and highways by releasing concentrated pool chemicals into the environment. This risk is reduced because, due to reduced aggregate chlorine consumption, fewer transportation vehicles are needed to transport the chemicals.
Also, use of the invention enhances water quality by avoiding formation of objectionable by-products, such as chloramines, trihalomethanes (THM), and haloacetic acid (HAA), which can otherwise cause loss of disinfectant residual in the water, and which can cause corrosion.
In addition, pool maintenance safety is increased because use of compressed chlorine gas is not required. Use of compressed chlorine gas increases likelihood of pool accidents causing human exposure to the chlorine gas in a manner resulting in possible bronchial edema, asphyxiation, and pulmonary injury.
Further, the invention is useable to sanitize bodies of water, even when the water is turbid or cloudy, and is therefore an improvement over using ultraviolet light alone. In this regard, the invention does not require installation of expensive, extremely efficient pre-filtering equipment to remove particulate matter that causes the turbidity and cloudiness. Moreover, use of the invention does not require use of ozone, which may present a respiratory health hazard. Avoiding use of ozone also decreases equipment installation costs, because a compressor for the ozone is not required.
The enhancements recited immediately hereinabove provide a safe, cost-effective, and convenient means for sanitizing swimming pool water, drinking water supplies, and other bodies of water.
A general aspect of the invention is an advanced on-site water sanitization system, wherein the system includes: a manifold loop connectable to a water supply line for supplying water to be sanitized from a body of water, and connectable to a water return line for returning sanitized water to the body of water; a copper/silver ionizer, in fluid communication with the manifold loop, capable of receiving a flow of water to be sanitized, adding copper and silver ions to the flow of water so as to provide a copper/silver ionized flow of water; and a chlorinator, in fluid communication with the manifold loop, capable of receiving a flow of ionized water, and a flow of chlorine, and allowing the flow of chlorine to mix with the flow of ionized water so as to provide a chlorinated flow of ionized water to the manifold loop to return as sanitized water to the body of water via the water return line.
In some embodiments, the chlorinator is a venturi device capable of sucking the flow of chlorine into the flow of ionized water.
In some embodiments, the chlorinator is a T-connector, and the flow of chlorine is pumped via the T-connector into the flow of ionized water.
In some embodiments, the system also includes a chlorine generator capable of providing the flow of chlorine to the chlorinator.
In some embodiments, the chlorine generator includes a brine tank capable of containing a softened brine solution having at least one chloride compound dissolved therein; and a chlorine generation cell submergeable in the softened brine solution, the chlorine generation cell being for generating chlorine from the at least one chloride compound.
In some embodiments, the system also includes a power supply, coupled to the chlorine generation cell and to the copper/silver ionization cell, for supplying electrical power to the chlorine generation cell and to the copper/silver ionization cell.
In some embodiments, the power supply includes a timing device coupled to the chlorine generation cell and to the metal ionization cell for timed supply of electrical power to the chlorine generation cell and the metal ionization cell.
In some embodiments, the at least one chloride compound is selected from the group including: sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride.
In some embodiments, the system includes: a water flow restrictor, in fluid communication with both the water supply line and the water return line, the water flow restrictor being capable of restricting flow of water directly from the water supply line to the water return line, thereby redirecting water to be sanitized from the water supply line to the manifold loop.
In some embodiments, the manifold loop includes a booster pump for pulling water to be sanitized from the water supply line, and pushing the water to be sanitized into the manifold loop.
In some embodiments, the copper/silver ionizer includes: two identical electrodes of a copper/silver alloy.
In some embodiments, the programmable timing device includes: first timer coupled to the adjustable power supply for timing the operation of the electrical power to the chlorine generation cell; and a second timer coupled to an adjustable pulsating power supply for timing the operation of the electrical power to the copper/silver ionization cell.
In some embodiments, the system also includes a flow sensing device coupled to the venturi device for sensing flow of water through the venturi device.
In some embodiments, the system also includes a conductivity sensing device coupled to the venturi device for sensing conductivity of water being sanitized.
Another general aspect of the invention is an advanced on-site water sanitization system, the system including: a manifold loop connectable to a water supply line for supplying water to be sanitized from a body of water, and connectable to a water return line for returning sanitized water to the body of water; a plurality of copper/silver ionizers, in parallel fluid communication with the manifold loop, each copper/silver ionizer being capable of receiving a flow of water to be sanitized, adding copper and silver ions to each respective flow of water so as to provide a plurality of copper/silver ionized flows of water; and
a plurality of chlorinators, in parallel fluid communication with the manifold loop, each capable of receiving a flow of ionized water, and a flow of chlorine, and allowing the flow of chlorine to mix with the respective flow of ionized water so as to provide a plurality of chlorinated flows of ionized water to the manifold loop to return as sanitized water to the body of water via the water return line.
In some embodiments, each chlorinator is a venturi device capable of sucking a respective flow of chlorine into a respective flow of ionized water.
In some embodiments, each chlorinator includes a T-connector, and the each flow of chlorine is pumped via the T-connector into a respective flow of ionized water.
In some embodiments, the system also includes a chlorine generator capable of providing a plurality of flows of chlorine to a respective plurality of chlorinators.
In some embodiments, the system also includes a power supply, coupled to each chlorine generation cell and to each copper/silver ionization cell, for supplying electrical power to the plurality of chlorine generation cell and to the plurality of copper/silver ionization cells.
Another general aspect of the invention is a method of manufacturing an on-site integrated chlorination and metal ionization system for sanitizing a flow of water. The method includes: providing a manifold loop connectable to a water supply line for supplying water to be sanitized from a body of water, and connectable to a water return line for returning sanitized water to the body of water; providing a copper/silver ionizer, connected in fluid communication with the manifold loop, capable of receiving a flow of water to be sanitized, and adding copper and silver ions to the flow of water so as to provide a copper/silver ionized flow of water; providing a chlorinator, connected in fluid communication with the manifold loop, capable of receiving a flow of ionized water, and a flow of chlorine, and allowing the flow of chlorine to mix with the flow of ionized water so as to provide a chlorinated flow of ionized water to the manifold loop to return as sanitized water to the body of water via the water return line; and providing a power supply connected to the source of chlorine and to the source of copper/silver ions.
The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from either the spirit or scope of the invention.
In addition, the present patent specification uses formal outline headings for clarity of presentation. However, it is to be understood that the outline headings are for presentation purposes, and that different types of subject matter may be discussed throughout the application (e.g., device(s)/structure(s) may be described under process(es)/operations heading(s) and/or process(es)/operations may be discussed under structure(s)/process(es) headings; and/or descriptions of single topics may span two or more topic headings). Hence, the use of the formal outline headings is not intended to be in any way limiting.
Therefore, with reference to
Referring again to
As previously mentioned, chlorine, which is used to resist microbial growth in body of water 310, can also be corrosive to many commonly available pipe materials and, hence, can cause a pipe leak, which is undesirable. Therefore, in order to resist corrosion as well as to resist microbial growth, supply line 340 may be manufactured by injection molding using high density polyethylene (HDPE). The polyethylene composition of HDPE is particularly beneficial for use with swimming pool and drinking water systems because polyethylene does not provide nutrients for microorganisms and, therefore, resists microbial growth. Also, the polyethylene composition of HDPE is a nonconductive, dielectric material and therefore resists corrosion. In the event supply line 340 is manufactured from a metal, such as the afore mentioned lead, copper, iron, steel, or alloys and combinations thereof; then, in such event, the interior of supply line 340 may be coated with a suitable epoxy that is resistant to corrosion by chlorine, sodium chloride, nitrates, chloramines, trihalomethanes (THM), haloacetic acid (HAA) and other chemicals found in swimming pools, drinking water supplies, and other bodies of water. Such an epoxy may be, by way of example only and not by way of limitation, an epoxy comprising polyamideaeoamine (PAMAM). Also, if made of metal, supply line 340 may be manufactured from an anti-corrosive steel comprising constituents selected from the group consisting essentially of iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and combinations thereof. In addition, the interior of water supply line 340 is also manufactured to be as smooth as possible to reduce water pressure loss that, in turn, reduces pumping power required. Reducing required pumping power reduces size of pumps and, therefore, installation costs and on-going electricity costs to operate the pumps. It should be appreciated that all such compositions and manufacturing techniques recited hereinabove are contemplated for use with water recirculation loop 320, including water supply line 340, of the present invention.
Referring yet again to
Referring to
In addition, tank 360 defines an opening 373 for introducing brine solution 372 into tank 360, such as by means of pouring or pumping brine solution 372 into tank 360. Opening 373 also provides means for emptying the brine solution 372 from tank 360, such as by means of any commercially available suction pump (not shown). Removably or pivotally connected to tank 360 is a lid 374 for covering opening 373. A purpose of lid 374 is to prevent introduction of foreign material (e.g., dust, fertilizer applied to nearby grass and shrubbery, leaves from trees) into interior volume 370 that is defined by tank 360. Preventing introduction of such foreign material avoids unwanted contamination of brine solution 372. In addition, vertically extending into tank 360 is an elongate salt level indicator rod 376 that is used to determine level of un-dissolved salt 378 in tank 360. If the level of un-dissolved salt 378 is too low, then the user will add salt through opening 373. The un-dissolved salt 378 preferably includes clean course water softener salt, rather than pool salt. Use of clean course water softener salt avoids plugging-up components. Pool salt, on the other hand, has too fine a grain size that increases risk that components will plug-up and impede water flow. Salt level indicator rod 376 rides or floats on the top surface of un-dissolved salt layer 378. Therefore, the amount of travel of rod 376 indicates the level of un-dissolved salt 372 in tank 360. If desired, level indicator rod 376 may have markings or calibrations thereon for accurately indicating the level of un-dissolved salt 378 at the bottom of tank 360. Thus, brine solution forms a brine solution layer 372 atop un-dissolved salt layer 378. Fresh water from a local municipal water supply is provided by a fresh water line 1073 (house water supply) to interior volume 370 of brine tank 360 and will reside as a layer 379 atop brine solution 372. Tank 360 may be manufactured in the shape of a parallelepiped, cylinder, octahedron, or any other convenient shape depending on space configurations and limitations at site 315. By way of example only, and not by way of limitation, tank 360 may have a parallelopiped shape with exterior dimensions of 46 inches high and a transverse cross section of 18 inches by 12 inches. Brine solution 372 contains the aforementioned chloride composition that can be corrosive. Therefore, tank 360 is desirably manufactured from a non-corrosive material, such as fiberglass or any of the non-corrosive materials mentioned hereinabove with respect to water recirculation loop 320.
Still referring to
Sodium chloride+Water→Chlorine+Hydrogen+Sodium hydroxide Eq. (1)
2NaCl+2H2O→Cl2+H2+NaOH Eq. (2)
or
Potassium chloride+Water→Chlorine+Hydrogen+Potassium hydroxide Eq. (3)
2KCl+2H2O→Cl2+H2+KOH Eq. (4)
Referring again to
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With reference to
In addition, system 300 further includes a reverse osmosis unit 695 (
As previously mentioned, copper/silver ion generation cell 400 includes at least one pair of electrodes 680/690 each comprising copper and silver copper/silver. for generating positively copper ions (Cu2+) and silver ions (Ag+) by electrolysis. The positively charged copper ions will seek-out particles of opposite polarity, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The copper ions form electrostatic compounds with the negatively charged cell walls of the microorganisms. The compounds disrupt the permeability of the cell wall and cause failure of nutrient uptake by the cell. Thereafter, the copper ions penetrate the cell wall of the microorganism and create an entrance for silver ions generated by electrodes 680/690. The silver ions penetrate the center of the microorganism and bond to parts of the cell, such as the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the cell of the microorganism. Bonding of the silver ions to parts of cell of the microorganism causes life-support in the cell to cease. In this manner, there is no longer cell division and cellular growth of the microorganism. Absence of cell division and cellular growth causes the microorganisms to cease multiplying, so that the population of microorganisms die-out over time.
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As shown in
Alternatively, studs 762/765 may be potted into the cap 760. In this case, when electrodes 680/690 wear down, the entire cell is replaced. Replacement of electrodes 680/690 may be necessary due to corrosion or fouling thereof. A first wire lead 770 is connected to first electrode stud 762 and a second wire lead 780 is connected to second electrode stud 765. Both of first wire lead 770 and second wire lead 780 extend to power supply 410 (
Referring to
With reference to
Still referring to
It should be appreciated that, when the chlorine cell is submerged in the brine solution 372, the gasses formed on both the anode and cathode electrodes rise upwardly and push unused brine water on the anode side and mostly fresh water on the cathode side up through the “TEFLON®” tubing causing a pumping action. On the anode side the chlorinated liquid is directed to dewatering device 880 (see
Referring again to
Referring yet again to
Referring to
System 960 also includes a plurality of electrolytic copper/silver ionization cells, such as a first copper/silver ionization cell 990a, a second copper/silver ionization cell 990b, a third copper/silver ionization cell 990c and a fourth copper/silver ionization cell 990d. Each copper/silver ionization cell 990a/990b/990c/990d is connected to its respective chlorine generator, 995a, 995b, 995c, 995d. In this exemplary embodiment, there are four chlorine generators as follows: first chlorine generator 995a, second chlorine generator 995b, third chlorine generator 995c and fourth chlorine generator 995d. Booster pump 980 draws filtered water from water return line 350 and directs the water to water supply line 340. A portion of the water is directed through venturies 985a/985b/985c/985d that draw chemicals from the bank of chlorine generators, generally referred to as 993.
The bank of chlorine generators 993 includes a first chlorine generator 995a, a second chlorine generator 995b, a third chlorine generator 995c, and a fourth chlorine generator 995d. The chemicals that are drawn by venturies 985a/985b/985c/985d (
Use of copper/silver ions can obtain several desirable effects. Based on the teachings herein, chlorine demand can be reduced by as much as 70% to 80% with the addition of copper and silver ions. In addition, although chlorine can escape from the water by volatilization, the copper and silver ions, on the other hand, will not escape from the water by volatilization. Further, the copper and silver ions are not affected by the pH of the water. The terminology “pH”, as generally used herein, is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity of a solution, such as water having chlorine and copper/silver ions therein.
It is known that copper and silver ions cannot remove organic matter, such as skin tissue, hairs, urine, and skin flakes from water and act more slowly in killing bacteria and algae compared to other agents. However, the invention allows use of chlorine in addition to the copper and silver ions for sanitizing water having skin tissue, hairs, urine, and skin flakes therein. Also, it is known that, although copper and silver ions will stay in the water longer than most other sanitizing products, chlorine is faster in killing bacteria and algae than copper/silver ions. Therefore, it is believed the invention provides a useful, novel and nonobvious technique that uses chlorine in combination with copper/silver ions with a technique that efficiently and cost-effectively sanitizes a body of water. The two sanitation methods, in combination, greatly assist maintaining bodies of water, such as swimming pools and water in drinking water holding tanks, safe for human use.
Operation:
Operation of system 300 (
The submerged cell is enclosed in its own first tubular member 820 or cell container that protects the cell from being fouled by un-dissolved salt and also keeps chlorinated liquid from migrating throughout the bottom of brine tank 360.
To further protect the cell and keep the cell clean, a sealed acid cleaning reservoir 520, filled with acidic solution, is provided inside the brine tank 360. A second solenoid valve 515 (
Mounted on top of brine tank 360 is sealed cabinet 440, which may be aluminum, for containing a solid-state power supply. For purposes of convenience and brevity only, the terminology “power supply” means the electrical components housed within the cabinet 440, as well as the cabinet 440 itself. A digital timer 450 is mounted on the front of the aluminum cabinet 440. For commercial applications, a second solid-state power-supply is mounted inside the cabinet, and a second digital timer 460 is mounted on the front of the cabinet 440.
For commercial applications, one power supply delivers low voltage power to the submerged chlorine generating cell and the other power supply delivers low voltage power to inline copper/sliver ionizing cell electrodes 680/690. Each power supply is controlled by its own programmable timer 450, 460. Thus, the invention can supply a desired combination of sanitizing chemicals to the water being treated.
Briefly stated, copper/sliver cell electrodes 680/690 (
Illustrative Methods:
Referring to
Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, system 960, that is intended for use in sanitizing larger bodies of water, such as commercial and public swimming pools, may be locked and secured in a separate building to prevent tampering by users of the commercial or public swimming pool.
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| Aug 07 2024 | ULTIMATE WATER, INC | HASA, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 068221 | /0376 | |
| Nov 14 2024 | HASA, INC | ANTARES CAPITAL LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | SECURITY INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 069257 | /0181 |
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